This Side of Evil Read Online Free Page B

cute, very male friend. Who was this guy?
    Ned squeezed her hand. “I’m ready for a romantic evening with my favorite girl. Want to try that Chinese restaurant we saw? Maybe go dancing again later?”
    Nancy threw a questioning look in the direction of the bathroom. She hadn’t seen George acting so crazy in months.
    “Nickerson calling Drew,” Ned said, into a pretend microphone. “How about a date tonight?”
    “Affirmative,” Nancy said, turning back to Ned. George would tell her everything later—if there was anything to tell, that is.
     
    “I suppose anyone could’ve known where you’re staying,” Ashley Amberton said the following morning. “Everyone here at Cherbourg has access to the company apartment; all they have to do is reserve it.”
    “Who handles that?” Ned asked.
    “A secretary down the hall.”
    “We’d like to speak to her, please,” Nancy said.
    The secretary showed Nancy and Ned the schedule of bookings for the apartment. Usually, they learned, the book hung on the wall beside the door. After Nancy questioned the secretary, it was clear that Ms. Amberton was right—anyone could have looked at the schedule.
    Back in Ms. Amberton’s office, Nancy shook her head. “No leads in that direction,” she said.
    “I’m becoming quite concerned.” Ashley Amberton went to the balcony door to look out across the river. “This thing seems to be getting bigger every day. First that business with Monique, now the threat against your life.” She threw Nancy a troubled glance. “Where is it going to end?”
    “Do you know somebody named Lake Sinclair?” Nancy asked.
    Ms. Amberton turned around sharply, surprise written across her face. “Lake Sinclair? Why, of course I know her. Her father is one of Mr. Cherbourg’s closest friends.” She studied Nancy, her brows drawn together in confusion. “Why do you ask?”
    “Because,” Nancy said, “it looks like she might be another one of our blackmailer’s victims.”
    “Lake?” Ms. Amberton exclaimed. “How did you find that out?”
    Nancy told her what she had learned from Annette LeBeau.
    “A hit-and-run?” Ms. Amberton dropped heavily into her desk chair. “You can’t be serious. Lake’s always been a little on the wild side, but she’d never do anything like that!”
    “Maybe not,” Nancy replied, “but we can’t be sure about that, can we? And I have to follow every single lead, no matter where it takes me.”
    The woman nodded, watching Nancy with a look of grudging respect. “I see,” she said softly, “that you are a very professional detective, Nancy Drew.” She reached for the phone. “I’ll set up a meeting with Lake.”
     
    Lake Sinclair’s condominium, Nancy learned from Ms. Amberton, was located in a restored section of Old Montreal, near the wharves.
    “You know what we could do?” Ned asked later that morning as they left the Cherbourg Building. “We could get a caleche—you know, a horsedrawn carriage—and ride in style. But only if you’ll promise not to say one word about business while we’re on the way!”
    “Oh, Ned, it sounds so romantic!” Nancy cried. “But what about George?” She pushed up the sleeves of her royal blue cotton sweater. “Shouldn’t we call the apartment to see if she’s back from her jogging? Maybe she’d like to go, too.”
    “Sure, but I think she has a date,” he said. Ned reached in his pocket and pulled out a handful of Canadian coins. “Need change?”
    “Yes,” Nancy said and grinned. “Thank you.”
    Nancy let the phone ring a dozen times, but George didn’t answer. “I guess she did go out,” she said regretfully, hanging up the phone.
    “So what do you say about that carriage ride?” Ned asked.
    “What are we waiting for?” Nancy answered with a happy smile.
    They walked over to the plaza, where Ned hailed a shiny black caleche, which was pulled by a large gray horse. Nancy climbed in, and just as Ned was about to get in beside her, he